Medimmune finds target against systemic sclerosis

The team headed by Devon Taylor identified a set of CD4-positive T-cells, which express the protein inducible costimulator (ICOS) in human skin, which contributes to systemic sclerosis. The serious inflammatory autoimmune disease leads to fibrosis of the skin and internal organs including the lungs, heart and kidneys.

Blocking these cells with an ICOS antibody or an IL-21 inhibitor ameliorated disease in an inducible mouse model mimicking systemic scleroses. The mechanism that leads to systemic sclerosis also involved matrix metalloproteinase 12, the researchers reported in Science Translational Medicine.

As CD4+ ICOS-expressing T cells with a TFH-like phenotype infiltrate the skin of patients with SSc and are correlated with dermal fibrosis and clinical disease status, targeting these cells could dampen dermal fibrosis and bring relief to scleroderma patients, they conclude.